Combine baler



Jan. 26,1937.

R. D MacDONALD COMBINE BALER Filed Jan. 24, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jian. 26, 19347. R. D, MacDoNALD COMBINE BALER s sheets-sheet 2 Filed Jan. '24 1931 Jan. 26, 193'7 R. D. MaoDoNALD COMBINE BALER Filed Jan. 24, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 26, 1937. R. D. McDoNALD COMBINE BALER Filed Jan. 24, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 26,y 1937. R. D.r MacDoNALD COMBINE BALER Filed Jan. 24, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 a?! gli V fiar/201 Jan. 26, 1937. R. D. MacDoNALD 2,068,886-

coMBINE BALER Filed Jan. '24, 1931 `9 Sheets-'Sheet 6 My Cla,

Jan. 26, 1937.

R. D. MBCDONALD COMBINE BALER Filed Jan. 24, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Jan. 26, 1937. R. D. MacDoNALD 2,068,886

` COMBINE BALER Filed Jan. 24, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 8 Jan. 26, 1937. R. D. MacDoNALD 2,068,886

COMBINE BALER Filed Jan. 24, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 j@ I I Jr/ I ffgwfl.

Patented Jan, 26, 1931 UNITED STATES CGMBINE BALER Raymore D. MacDonald, Shelbyville, Ill., assignor to Ann Arbor Machine Company, Shelbyville, Ill., a partnership composed of L. K. Tallman,

G. L. Tallman, J. Tallman L. Tallman, and Emma S.

Application January l24, 1931, serial No. 510,891

8 claims. (c1. 10o- 25) This invention relates to a baler and particularly to a combine baler in which balin'g means are combined with means for picking up material to be baled. In the particular form illustrated herewith, a pick-up, adapted to pick up hay, straw and the like from the fields, is shown as mounted upon, adapted to move and to co-operate with a baling mechanism so that as the machine is drawn through the elds it will pick up material from the surface of the ground, move it to the baling\ assembly, compress and bale itin bales.

One object of the invention is, therefore, to provide a combined pick-up and baler. Another object is to provide a pick-up and baler, balanced on two wheels and with or without a self-feeder, and arranged to be driven by means of a power take-oi fromV a tractor. Another object of the invention is to provide in connection with such a mechanism an improved block dropping and handling mechanism in which the blocker, which may slide in a vertical position, serves as a portion of the hopper through which the material passes into the baling unit. Another object of the invention is to provide in connection with a combine baler an automatic control for the pick-up driving mechanism so that the latter is drawn out of operation automatically when the pick-up is moved into an inoperative position. Another object of the invention is to combine in the transmission the main driven shaft of the transmission with the fly wheel and driving pinion, thus eliminating the conventional flywheel shaft heretofore used.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the specication and claims.

My invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine;

Figure 2 is a detailed horizontal longitudinal1 section taken at line 2 2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical cross section, taken at line 3 3 of Figure 1, showing the plunger in the raised4 position;

Figure 4 is' a fragmentary vertical longitudinal cross section, taken at line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is .a fragmentary vertical longitudinal cross sectional detail, taken at line 5 5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a transverse vertical cross sectional detail, taken at line 6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a transverse vertical crossv sectional detail taken at line 1 1 of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a partial side elevation, showing the forward end of the machine from the side opposite that shown in Figure 1, with parts broken away;

Figure 9 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail, taken at line 9 9 of Figure 3;

Figure 10 is a horizontal sectional detail, taken at line I |0 of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a longitudinal vertical cross sectional detail, showing the plunger in position;

Figure 12 is a longitudinal horizontal cross sectional detail, taken at line I 2 l 2 of Figure 4;

Figure 13 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view through the transmission, at the point of connection to the power take-off;

Like parts are designated by like characters throughout the specification and drawings.

The baler as a whole is provided with suitable framework elements to form in effect a' chassis. 'I'hese frame elements are designated generally by the letters A. The specific details of this framework will not be discussed more fully. It is sufcient that a framework is provided which will support the wheels and support the working parts in the proper relationship to permit correct operation. Supporting wheels A1, A1 are provided and they are carried by an axle A2.

Running generally longitudinally from front to rear of the machine is a framework of rectangular cross section, which is preferably formed of angular members B, B. A bottom B1 is provided and runs preferably from end to end of the rectangular framework. Throughout a portion of the length of the framework a; top B2 is provided, being situated generally to enclose or cover the top of the rear half of the rectangular framework above mentioned. Along the central portion pf the rectangular framework formed by the members B are provided sides B3,.-B3. The sides are shown as being terminated at B4 in Figure 1, slightly in the rear of the supporting and spacing frame members B5, B5. Generally adjacent the frame members B the sides B3 are provided with one or more openings or perforations B. Adjacent these perforations are mounted dogs B'1 which have inclined points or noses Bs positioned to extend through the openings B5. Springs B are positioned to force the dogs inward through the openings B8 into the position indicated in Figure 2. Pivotally mounted adjacent the rearl end ,of the rectangular frame formed by the members B, is a closing member B10. It may be retained in the position shown in Figure 1 or may swing downwardly from that position to a generally horizontal position to permit discharge of bales from the machine. 'I'he upper and lower frame members the lowered ly extending brackets C5.

spreading or relative separation of the upper and' lower frame members may occur. Spacing members or bars B11 are fastened to each of the lower frame members B as at B1z and engage cross members as at B11 on the upper frame members. The members B11 preferably extend above the frame members B and have compression springs B1* positioned about their upper ends so as to exert compression to tendto force the upper and lower frame members together. Handles B15 are positioned on the upper ends of the members B11 above the springs B1* and may be manipulated to adjust the compression. At their forward ends the upper frame members B are downwardly bent `as at B15 and attached to the lower frame members B as at B1". A piston B15 of generally rectangular cross section is positioned within the rectangular frame formed by the members B and is adapted to be reciprocatedin this frame in the manner which will be described below. The piston is preferably hollow for lightness, as shown, and has a pair of ears B11 formed on the inside of its head, to which a connecting rod B211 may be fastened. Depending downwardly from the rectangular frame is a support B11, to which onel or more foot boards B22 may be fastened adjacent their forward ends. At their rear ends they are movably supported by hangers B11 which depend downwardly from the frame. This construction is to permit the relative swinging or raising of the rear end of the foot boards, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1.

Positioned above the rectangular framework formed of the angular members B, is an open topped, three-sided housing, having one wall flared outwardly as at C, and a second wall C1 being fiat and cut away as at C2. A third wall C3 is cut away or provided with a larger opening as at C4. Outside of and spaced away from the wall C1 and generally opposite the opening C4 is a movable wall portion C5, provided with rearward- At their lower edges the brackets are provided with laterally extending runner-like flanges C1. Adjacent their outer edges or ends the members C5 are joined by a rod C11 which has loosely mounted upon it a tubular member C. 'I'he flange-like portions C" are engaged in nxed. track members C1 which are positioned on the framework and are provided with slots C11 through which the rod Cs extends. These slots, together with the rod, serve as guides or retaining parts for-the wall member C5. The wall member C5 is formed with inwardly facing flanges C1, as indicated particularly in Figure 12, and it thus serves as a retaining and guiding member for the blocks C11. Positioned on the wall member C5 is a spring C14 which may be perforated to permit a member such as a bolt or screw C15. to extend through it. Positioned about the member C15 is a spring C15, which bears against the spring C1* and tends to force its inner eind C11 through a perforation C1' in the wall `menber C5 and thus to hold it by friction against the block C13 and to tend to retain the block within the guideway formed by the wall member C5 and itsl flanges C11. All of this construction is shown in detail in Figures 11,and l2 and generally in Figures 1 and 4. C1' is an ear or other attaching part formed on the wall member C5 and preferably extending rearwardly from it and adjacent its rear edge. A link C is joined to the ear C1 at one4 end and at the other end to one portion of a lever arm C11. This lever is pivoted as at C on4 a flat spring l member C11 which is itself fastened upon one of the frame members B, as at C14.' Two such spring members C51 may be used. A helical spring C55 is fastened. one end vupon the frame member B and the other end to the link C and tends to hold the 'link C and the lever arm C11 in the full line position of Figurev 12. Adjacent the wall memberCa and extending across the top of the rectangular frame formed by the members B, is a rod C upon which is looselymounted a tubular member C. The outer or free end of the spring C111 rests upon the tubular member C1"I and tends to hold it in the position indicated -in Figure 4.

I have described the structure which surrounds or forms the enclosure of three sides of the housing which is positioned above the rectangular frame member. The fourth side of this housing is open to permit communication with and discharge from a conveyor so that material moved by the conveyor may be discharged into the housing.

Positioned adjacent the open or fourth side of the housing andmounted in suitable bearings is a shaft D upon which is mounted a cylinder or drum-like portion D1 which forms the body of a beater adapted for co-operation with a conveyor. A plurality of preferably curved fingers Dz is positioned on the beater. An angle D3 extends transversely between the walls of the housing and carries a plurality of preferably curved stripper fingers' D1. Extending across the open side of the housing and above the beater is a rod D5 which may be carried by members Ds which project upwardly above the side walls of the housing. At the outer or free end of the shaft D is a sprocket or driven member D7 by means of which the beater may be rotated from any suitable power source and by any suitable gearing. The particular drive embodied in the present machine will be described below.

Extending across the machine from the housing above described is a housing or apron having a closed bottom and formed of side members E, E. At one side a relatively short apron E1 bounds an open side and extends' toward a pick-up conveyor, permitting discharge from the pick-up conveyor over the side E- adjacent the apron E1. On the opposite side a larger, outwardly flared side member E2 is positioned. E3 is an end wall extending between the side walls E, E and the apron E1 and the :dared portion E2. Positionedin suitable bearings between the walls E, E and adjacent the end wall E3 is a shaft E4t carrying at either end sprockets E5. Positioned adjacent the opposite ends of the walls E is a second and generally similar shaft EG which carries sprockets E7 and at its outer or exposed end a driven sprocket E. Extending between the shafts E5 and E4 is a platform member E9 which may be carried on suitable supports E1 fixed to the side walls E, E- and is preferably downwardly curved about the shafts E4 and E5 as at E11. Conveyor chains-E1z are posimounted between the side walls C1, C1 and carrying sprockets F1. Positioned about and engaging the sprockets F1 and F1' are conveyor chains F5. Extending between the chains 1111 are slats F1. Guide members F" are positioned upon the walls of the housing. as indicated in Figure 7, to cause the chains to travel along the inclined paths indicated in that figure. IN. is a platform member extending between the shafts F and F3 and preferably downwardly bent about them as indicated in Figure 7.

G, G are frame members which form a part of the frame of a pick-up conveyor. They are attached to side wall members G1, G1 which may be outwardly flared along their upper edges as at G1 and may carry stiffening and reinforcing members G1 along their sides. The details of the frame construction of the header will not be further described. It is sumcient to say that a framework is formed which is made of suitable members and is sufficiently rigid to carry the necessary parts and to hold them in alinement and in proper working relation. Depending downwardly from the frame members G are brackets G1, preferably one on each side of the pick-up frame, which are supported on any suitable portion of the frame of the machine as a whole, as at G5. At the lower end of the pickup frame is mounted a pair of ground contacting shoes G1. Each shoe, at its forward end, is upwardly turned, as indicated particularly in Figure 8, and is attached to the frame by a link G". Adjacent its rear end it is fastened to the frame by a supporting member G11 which is provided with a plurality of perforations G9 by means of which it may be adjustably fastened to the frame so as to vary the distance between the frame and the ground contacting shoe. A plurality of outwardly flared grain contactingand engaging members G10 are mounted, one on each side of the pick-up frame. G11 is a conveyor shaft mounted in suitable bearings in bearing supporting plates G11.which are adjustably positioned adjacent the lower end of the pick-up conveyor. Adjusting bolts G111 are provided for each of the plates G11 so that the shaft may be moved slightly to act as a take-up for the belt and carry out any other adjustments necessary. The shaft G11 carries sprockets G14. Adjacent the upper end of the pick-up conveyor is a shaft G15 which is carried in suitable bearings and has mounted upon it sprockets G15. 'I'he platform member G1'7 is mounted between the side walls of the pick-up conveyor and extends from the shaft G11 to the shaft G15 and is preferably downwardly bent about each of the shafts as indicated in Figure 5. A guide track G11, which may be in the form of a channel, extends the length of the pick-up conveyor and lies above it. It is spaced outwardly from the path of movement of the chain which will be described below'. A similar track G19 extends the length of the conveyor and is spaced below it and closer to the path of movement of the chain. The two tracks join each other and are in effect one track, forming a closed circuit about the shafts G11 and G15. Conveyor chains G10 are positioned 'about the sprockets G19 and G14. These chains have pivotally mounted in them cross shafts G11, each of which carries at its ends a crank arm G11 which has mounted upon its free end a roller G11. These rollers ride within the tracks G1s and G19 and cause the cross shafts G11 to rotate as the rollers move from the tracks G19 to the tracks G19. Mounted upon the cross shafts G11 are a plurality of spring fingers G11 which are preferably provided with spring portions G15 wound about the shafts G11 and fixed to them by clips or otherwise as at G11. G11 is a driving sprocket mounted on the outer end of the shaft G15. On either side of the frame of the pick-up conveyor is a bracket member G15 to eachKof which is pivoted an inwardly bent connecting link G11. At their inner ends these are joined .to a lever arm G11 which is fixed to the axle A1. Extending upwardly' from the axle and xed to it at an angle of approximately degrees to the arm G1, is a second similar and preferably shorter arm G11. ,A tie rod G31 connects and stiifens the arms (31m and G11. To

the upper end of the arm G11 is connected one y end of a counter-balancing spring G13 which has its other end connected to a bracket G14 whichv The combine baler as indicated in the drawings is generally adapted to be drawn through a field l to pick up, for example, hay, to bale it and discharge the bales as it moves. It may, of course, be used as a stationary machine. When used as a moving machineit will be attached normally to a tractor, one wheel of which is indicated as at H. The tractor has a draft bar H1 which is attached to downwardly depending draft connections H1, H1, which are formed on and attached to the forward end B11 of the combine frame. A power take-off connection H3 extends rearwardly from the tractor, by means of a transmission shaft H4, through suitable universal joints, is connected to and adapted to drive the shaft H5 on the combine. The shaft is preferably mounted within suitable bearings Which are carried in a housing H1 which is attached to a second housing H". On the inner end of the shaft H5 is a beveled gear H5. Positioned Within suitable bearings in the housing H'I is a shaft H9 which has fixed upon it a beveled gear H10, meshing with the beveled gear H1. At one end the shaft H9 carries a fly wheel H11. At its opposite end it carries a driving gear or pinion H11. Carried in suitable bearings preferably above and to the rear of the shaft H9 is a second shaft H11. At one end this shaft carries a gear H11 which meshes with the pinion H11 and at its opposite end it carries one or two pinions H15 which mesh with a double driving gear H11, carried upon a third discontinuous shaft H11. The connecting rod B10 is fastened as indicated 'particularly in Figure 4, preferably between the two gears H15. A fourth shaft H1B is carried in suitable bearings within the frame and has mounted upon it a pinion H19 which meshes with one of the gears H15. On the shaft H11 is also carried a beveled gear H10. The four driving shafts so far described, namely, H1, H11, H11 and H111, extend transversely of the frame. A fifth driving shaft H11 is carried in suitable bearings and extends longitudinally of the machine. A beveled gear H11 on it, meshes With the beveled gear H10 on the shaft H11. A sprocket H13 is fixed on the shaft H11. A second sprocket H1'1 is loose on the shaft H11. It is provided with a toothed or notched hub H15 which is adapted to mate with a similarly notched clutch member H16 which is normally held in engagement with it by a spring H11 positioned about the shaft H11 by a pin H", as shown in detail in'Figure 5. A1l

clutch operating lever H111 is pivotally mounted as at H31. An operating link H31 for the clutch t is fastened at one end to the lever H511 and at its other end to the short arm of a foot operated llever H which is pivoted as at H14 and provided upon which the sprocket 11'1 is mounted, is driven l.

from the shaft H21. H411 is an idler sprocketcar-y ried upon a shaft H41 which-is mounted upon the' frame as indicated particularly in Figures "and 7. An idler pulley H42 is carried on a suitable shaft which is journaled in a pivoted arm H4s which is supported on the frame and held downwardly by a spring H44 as indicated in Figure 7. A chain H45 engages the sprocket H14, and is driven by it. It engages also the sprocket Es on the shaft E5 of the horizontal conveyor. It engages the largesprocket D1 of ,the beater, the idler H4o and the idler H4. Thus, when the sprocket H14 is engaged with the clutch so as to move with the shaft H21, that is with the parts in the position indicated in Figure 5, rotation ofthe shaft H11 will rotate the sprocket E5 to drive the horizontal conveyor and will rotate the beater at the same time.

Fixed on the connecting rod B is an upwardly extending member 1. Pivotally connected at one end to the member I is a link I1. 11, I2 are upwardly extending frame members mounted preferably on the upper frame members B. 'I'hey are braced by tie rods 15, 13. A shaft I4 extends between the frame members I. Pivotally mounted upon it is a swinging lever arm 15. This arm may be of any suitable construction, but is preferably formed of two members which have pivotally mounted between their lower ends the link I1 and are `:loined adjacent their upper ends by a member which extends across them and is attached to them. It has thus the general shape of a wide and generally flat U. At their upper ends a similar member I'1 is positioned. This member, however, is oppositely faced, in that the arms of the U point upwardly. Pivoted also on the shaft I4 is a second lever arm 15 which is preferably formed of two laterally spaced membei's.-"'-1hese members are positioned between the two laterally spaced members which make up the arm I5 and the inner or lower end of the member I5 is positioned preferably just below the cross member 15. Suitable cross members attaching the two parts of the member 15 to each other are provided. Bolts I are run through them and through the members 15 and I5 and have positioned about them compression springs 11 which bear against plates or nuts 111 at the lower end of the bolts I. This construction permits relative bending or rotary movement of the lever arms 15 and I5. Upward movement of the arm 15 may thus continue when downward movement of the arm 15 is prevented. At its outer end the arm I5 carries pivotally mounted a downwardly depending frame structure I11which is preferably formed of two members pivoted between the arms of the, lever I5. These members carry compressing or tamping plunger 111. Above the plunger and extending laterally from the frame 112 is a block engaging member 114. Movement of the connecting rod B11 causes the composite lever formed of the lmembers I5 and I5 and carrying the tamping plunger 111 to move upward and downward, thus to tamp or press the hay or other material which is being baled. When theconnecting rod is in the position shown in Figure 1, the lever has been swung into the downward position. In this position the piston B15 has been withdrawn. As the piston is forced into the position shown in Figure 4, the lever arms 15 and 111 move upwardly and raise the plunger 113 into the position shown in Figure 4. 115 is a link or links, as there may be one or two. These links are pivoted at one end upon the support or supports I2 and at the other upon the downwardly depending member I12 which carries the plunger 115 and the block engaging member 114. 1t is of the same effective length as the member I5 and thus serves to hold the member I12 in vertical alinement no matter' what its position.

J is a sprocket mounted about the axle A2 and pending from the frame which carries the horizontal conveyor and Ji1 is a third bracket depending from the same frame. These parts are shown generally in Figure 3 and in detail in Figures 9 and 10. `A shaft J4 is journaled in suitable bearings carried by the brackets J1 and J1l and has at its outer or free end a sprocket J5. Adjacent its inner end the shaft J4 carries a gear J5 which gear has an outwardly extending notched or roughened portion J". The gear J5 is not fixed to the shaft J4. J5 is a clutch member having a notched portion J11 corresponding to and adapted to mate. with the notched portion J'1 of the gear J5. A spring J1 tends normally to hold the clutch and sprocket in engagement and thus the sprocket is locked for rotation with the shaft J4. A bell crank J11 is pivoted as at J1z and is connected with the. clutch membenso as to move it. A link J1:1 connects one end of the bell crank J 11 with the member G31. J14 is a shaft supported in suitable bearings in the brackets'J11 and J3. It has loosely mounted upon it a gear J15 which meshes with the gear J5. The gear J15 has extending laterally from it a roughened portion J15. A corresponding member J1'1 which is roughened to mate with the Vmember J111 is slidably mounted upon the shaft J14 and keyed to rotate with it and is normally held in engagement with the portion J111 by a spring J15 which is mounted about the shaft J14 and bears against a plate J15 upon the shaft. 'Ihis construction tends normally to hold the gear J15 so that it rotates with the shaft J14 but in case of excessive pressure the member J1'1 may yield outwardly I"against the spring to free the gearl J15 from the the gears J1'5 and J5 to the shaft J4, rotating it" and the sprocket J5 which it carries. A chain J12 engages the sprocket J5 on the shaft J4 and 175' also engages the sprocket G11 on the shaft G15 of the pick-up conveyor and thus this shaft is,

is an idler which engages the chain Ja2 as indicatedmparticularly in Figure 8. It is carried on a pivoted arm J24 which, by means of a spring J, is held in a position to exert tension upon the chain J11.

A bracket K--extends laterally inwardly from the pick-up conveyor as indicated particularly in Figure 3. A curved lever K1 is pivotally mounted upon the rectangular frame as at K2 and has attached to it a chain K3 one end of which is attached to the bracket member K. The upper arm of the lever K1 carries a dog K4 and a handle and operating mechanism K5 therefor. The dog is arranged to engage the notches in a quadrant K5. position shown in Figure 8, the upper arm of the lever K1 is in such position that the dog is engaged adjacent the top of the quadrant and the pick-up is in contact with the ground. When it is desired to move the pick-up out of operative position, that is to say. out of Contact with the ground, the lever arm is depressed, that is, it is moved downwardly along the quadrant and the dog is re-engagedto hold the parts in the raised position.

It will be realized that whereas I have herewith'shown and described a practical operative device, nevertheless many changes might be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing fromA the spirit of my invention and I wish, therefore, that my showing be taken as in a sense diagrammatic.

The use and operation of my invention are as follows:

The combine baler which forms the subject of this application may be used in stationary position as an ordinary baler. It may, however, be drawn through the fields where material to be baled is found and it may be arranged to pick up the material and to bale it as it moves and to discharge the bales. The operation of the baling machinery is essentially the same, whether the machine is stationary or being drawn through the fields and the baling mechanism is operated by power from some outside source as, for example, a tractor or other engine. The pick-up mechanism is operated in response to movement of the combine through the fields. As the comybine is drawn, the pick-up is normally in the operative position shown for example in Figures l and 8, but it may be raised from that position and when so raised it is automatically thrown out of operation so that even when the combine is moved, the pick-up may be moved out'of operative position and this movement automatically disconnects it from its drive and whenl it is in this inoperative position, movement of the combine does not cause movement of the pick-up conveyor.

With the parts in the position shown generally inv Figures 1, 3, 4, and 8, the pick-up is in the operative position, the combine is connected to a tractor which has a power take-oifconnection and the latter is connected to the driving mechanism of the baling assembly. Thus the latter is in operation in response to movement of the tractor engine and as the combine is drawn forward through the elds the pick-up conveyor is operated in response to the movement of the combine.

'I'he drive of the pick-up conveyor is as fol- When the "parts are `inthe lows: With the parts in the position shown, forward movement of the combine rotates both of the wheelsA A1 and rotates also the sprocket J which is attached to the right hand wheel A1 as shown in Figure 3. The chain J21 which engages the sprocket J rotates the sprocket J2o and the shaft J14 which carries'it. Thus the gear J15 which is upon the shaft J14 is rotated and the gear J*1 which engages the gear J15 and the shaft J4 upon which the gear J is mounted, is rotated, thus rotating the sprocket J5 and by means of the chain J22 which engages the sprocket J5 the sprocket G111 on the pick-up conveyor shaft G15 is rotated. Should any obstacle to the movement of the conveyor develop, and should the resistance become suilcient to endanger the parts, the resistance to movement will be suicient before breakage can occur to cause slippage of the members J16 and J1", since the member J11 can yield outwardly to permit this slippage. If the pickup conveyor is to be thrown out of operation, the lever K1 is moved from the position shown in Figure 8 to a lower position, thus raising the pick-up conveyor out of contact with the ground. As this occurs, the members G1o and G31 which are fastened together and are fastened to theA pick-up conveyor Aframe by the link G29, are rotated in a counter-clockwise direction from the position shown in Figure 8. Rotation of the member G31 in this direction moves the link J13 in the direction of the arrow as indicated in Figure 10, and this movement is transmitted through the bell crank J11 to move the clutch part J9 out of engagement with the member J'I on the gear J6. Thus the parts are declutched and so long as they remain in the declutched position the shaft J4 is not rotated and the pickup conveyor will not be rotated. 'I'hus movementl of the pick-up conveyor out of its operative position automatically declutches the pickup conveyor drive.

The drive of the baling mechanism is as follows: The power take-off connection rotates the shaft H5 which, through the gears Ha and H10 rotates the shaft H9. through the pinions H15 rotates the double gear H15. This gear carries with it the connecting rod B20 which causes the piston B18 to reciprocate within the baling cavity or chamber and as hay or other material to be baled is fed to the baling cavity it is compressed by the successive strokes of the piston B18. Movement of the connecting rod'B1m moves the bracket I1, the link I2, the combined lever I5, I8, from the position shown, for example in Figure l to that shown in Figure 4,

Rotation of this shaft Figure 1 being approximately the extreme downf hand lever C21 is moved from the full line position of Figure 12 into the dotted line position of that figure. 'Ihus the member C5 carrying the block C13 is moved forward from the position shown in full lines in Figure 12 to the position in Figure l1. In that position, the block C13 will be engaged by the member I14 and against the friction of the spring C14, C1'I will be forced downwardly into the baling cavity or chamber and. will be moved to the right as shown in Figure 4 by the reciprocation of the piston B18. After a block C13 has been moved into position by the piston B18, it is moved to the right as shown in Figures 2 and 4, into contact with the points Ba of the dogs B". Further movement of the block C13 in response to reciprocatin of the piston B1'1 will move the dogs outwardly against resistance of the springs B and so permit the block to be moved past the dogs into the position shown in Figure 2. 'Ihe dogs then return to the position shown in that gure and prevent the block from being forced backward, as for example by the pressure of material which has been moved beyond it and which is under compression and which might tend to spring backward to the left as shown in Figur 2 and 4, and to carry the block with it. uccessive blocks are fed into the machine at suitable intervals and material is fed into the machine and is carried into the compressing chamber and compressed by the plunger and piston and is moved out of the compression chamber and is fastened together in any suitable manner after it has moved from the compression chamber to the rear to the region indicated generally by the letter X, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. 'Ihe angular members B are drawn together by the rods B11 of the compression members B14 and B sufficiently to furnish adequate resistance or friction to the movement of the blocks, thus retaining the compression on the bale from above and controlling the movement of the blocks, and consequently of the bales. through the machine toward the point of discharge. The resistance and friction may be varied by manipulation of the members B12 to vary the compression applied to the spring B1* and consequently to the members B. The bales may be discharged from the rear. of the rectangular frame formed of the angles B and the successive blocks are removed from the rear of the machine and used again. 'Ihe bales may be deposited on the ground or into a wagon or in any other manner.

40 In addition to the pick-up conveyor which has pinion H1 on a shaft H1' which carries also a beveled pinion Bf2 which meshes with a beveled pinion H22 on a shaft H21. I'he shaft H21 has xed upon it a sprocket H22 which drives a chain H2 which meshes with the sprocket F2 on a conveyor drive shaft F. These driving connections are shown in detail in Figure 7 and through this mechanism the short elevating or upwardly inclined conveyor shown in detail in Figure 7 is operated. Moimted loosely on the shaft H21 is also a sprocket H24l which, when in the posi-k tion indicated in Figure 5, is locked to move with the shaft by means of the clutch H22, the spring H2'I normally holding the parts in clutched or operative position. -A chain H45 is driven by the sprocket H24 and engages a sprocket Es on the horizontal conveyor shaft E2, this shaft thus being driven from the shaft H21. 'I'he chain H also engages a driving sprocket D'I on the beater shaft D. 'Ihus the chain H also drives clutch operating lever H2 is rotated to -move the clutch member H2s to the right, as indicated in Figure 5, and thus to disconnect the sprocket H2* from the shaft H21 and thereby to stop movement of the beater and the horizontal conveyor. In the particular form of the invention shown herewith the short elevating or inclined conveyor is not declutched by this particular operation and continues to move as do the piston and plunger.

The tubular member C22, mounted upon the rod 02, is normally held in the position shown in Figure 3 by the spring C23. It serves to'hold the material being compressed to prevent its escaping backward or upward and while it can be moved upwardly, when pressure sufficient to cause the spring C23 to yield occurs, ordinarily it will not be displaced and will remain in the position shown in Figure 4, in which position it contacts or closely approaches the top of the piston B1' when the latter moves under it.

I claim:

1. In combination, a vehicle frame, running gear for the frame including an axle and a single pair of wheels carried thereby, said axle being positioned intermediate the ends of the frame,

'baling mechanism mounted on the frame rearwardly of said axle, transmission mechanism mounted on said frame forwardly of said axle, bale supporting and discharging mechanisms on the frame rearwardly of said baling mechanism, a pick-up mechanism for raising material to be baled, said pick-up mechanism including a conveyor. frame, means for pivotally supporting the upper end of said frame on said vehicle frame substantially over said axle, with the lower end thereof engaging the ground well in advance of the axle, and means for connecting the vehicle frame and transmission mechanism to a tractor, the several mechanisms carried by the vehicle frame being positioned thereon .with respect to the axle to maintain the entire apparatus in a substantially balanced condition, with respect to said axle, and means for iloatinglysupporting the lower end of said pick-up conveyor frame, whereby to maintain the same in contact with the ground at'all times.

v2. In combination, a vehicle frame, running gear for the frame including an axle and a single pair of wheels carried thereby, said axle being positioned intermediate the ends of the frame. baling mechanism mounted on the frame rearwardly of said axle, transmission mechanism mounted on said frame forwardly of said axle, bale supporting and discharging mechanisms on the frame rearwardly of said baling mechanism, a pick-up mechanism for raising material to be baled, said pick-up mechanism including a conveyor frame, means for pivotally supporting the said frame substantially over said axle, with the lower end thereof engaging the ground well in advance of the axle, and means for connecting the vehicle frame and transmission mechanism to a tractor, the several mechanisms carried by the vehicle frame being positioned thereon with respect to the axle to maintain the entire apparatus in a substantially balanced condition, with respect to said axle, and means for floatingly supporting said pick-up conveyor frame, whereby to maintain the same in contact with the, ground at all times.

BI In combination, a vehicle frame, running gear for the frame including an axle and a. single pair of wheels carried thereby, said axle being positioned intermediate the ends of the frame, baling'mechanism mounted on the frame rearwardly of said axle, transmission mechansm mounted on said frame forwardly of said axle, bale supporting and discharging mechanisms on the frame rearwardly of said baling mechanism, a pick-up mechanism for raising material to be baled, said pick-up mechanism including a conveyor frame, means for pivotally supporting the said frame substantially over said 10 axle, With the lower end thereof engaging the ground well in advance of the axle, means for connecting the Vehicle frame to a tractor, the several mechanisms carried by the vehicle frame being positioned thereon with respect to the axle to maintain the entire apparatus in a substantially balanced condition, with respect to said axle, and means for oatingly supporting said pick-up conveyor frame, whereby to maintain the same in contact with the ground at al1 times.

RAYMORE D. MACDONALD. 

